iv.of  in. 
3 


Library 


library 

OF  THE 

JMIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


0ak  street  Proceedings  of  a 3oint  fiDeeting 

UNCLASSIFIED  ...CALL HD  BY... 

Mr.  CHARLES  SCOTT, 


President  of  the  Executive  Committee 

Interstate  Mississippi  River  Improvement 
and  Levee  Association 


...AND  THK... 


Presidents  of  the  Levee  Boards  of  the  Lower  Mississippi 

Valley, 

Iyr  THE  ST.  CHARLES  HOTEL, 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA., 

Friday,  November  15th,  1901. 


Mr.  Scott,  in  calling  the  meeting  to  order,  stated  that  it  was 
not  his  intention  to  inflict  the  meeting  with  anything  like  a 
speech  ; but  that  he  would  endeavor,  in  a conversational  way, 
to  call  attention  to  the  important  matters  that  should  be  dis- 
cussed, and  some  solution  of  which  should  be  reached  here  to- 
day. 

Most  of  us  know,  I suppose,  the  genesis  of  this  Interstate 
Mississippi  River  Improvement  and  Revee  Association.  It  was 
born  in  the  dark  and  troubled  days  of  1890,  when  much  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley  was  inundated.  It  occurred  to  me,  at  that 
time,  that  a convention  of  the  people  of  the  Mississippi  Valley 
should  be  called.  A number  of  prominent  gentlemen  in  Vicks- 
burg called  that  convention  ; and  I think  I never  had  the  honor, 
nor  do  I think  any  other  man  ever  had  the  honor  of  presiding 
over  a more  intelligent,  earnest,  and  energetic  body  of  workers. 

After  the  assemblage  of  the  convention,  it  occurred  to  me 
that  our  efforts  in  the  past  to  secure  national  appropriations  had 


— 2— 


been  going  along  on  improper,  or  rather,  impractical  lines. 
Resolutions  would  be  passed,  which  always  had  some  effect, 
but  then  the  body  would  disband,  and  then  the  old  adage  that 
“ what  is  everybody’s  business  is  nobody’s  business,”  seemed 
especially  applicable.  It  occurred  to  me  that  it  was  desirable  to 
have  some  permanent  organization — somebody  who  could  keep 
their  hands  on  the  public  pulse. 

Whenever  one  of  the  great  railroad  corporations,  which 
never  act  from  sentiment,  as  we  all  know,  but  upon  purely  busi- 
ness principles,  have  anything  of  importance  before  Congress, 
they  do  not  leave  it  to  chance,  they  do  not  leave  it  altogether  to 
Congressmen.  Take  the  Trans-continental  railways,  all  of  them 
have  an  intelligent  man  or  a number  of  men  at  the  Capital  at  all 
times.  The  reclamation  of  this  vast  empire  in  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  I think,  holds  imperial  domain,  I might  say,  over  every 
other  subject  in  the  country.  For  this  purpose,  it  was  proposed 
that  a permanent  organization  be  created  along  business  lines, 
and  it  was  formed. 

We  sent,  as  you  will  remember,  a strong  committee  to 
Washington  City.  They  found  the  levee  forces  discouraged, 
disheartened,  and  almost  totally  disorganized.  It  is  true  that 
there  were  some  able  men  in  Louisiana,  Mississippi,  Arkansas, 
and  other  riparian  States  who  were  endeavoring  to  stem  the  tide, 
among  these  wTere  the  Hon.  N.  C.  Blanchard,  of  this  State,  and 
Gen.  Catchings,  of  Mississippi.  The  levee  forces  were  practically 
routed.  Wh}',  Capt.  Cowden,  I am  told,  occupied  with  his 
maps,  for  two  hours,  the  Committee  on  Commerce  of  the  Senate, 
and  really  the  whole  of  the  congressional  sentiment  seemed  tend- 
ing his  way.  This  committee  remained  at  Washington  for  some 
time  and  they  turned  levee  sentiment  back  into  the  proper  chan- 
nel. 

In  reference  to  the  good  work  which  Captain  Patrick  Henry 
had  done  at  Washington,  as  the  special  representative  of  the 
Interstate  Mississippi  River  Improvement  and  Levee  Association, 
and  the  great  importance  of  retaining  his  most  valuable  savings, 
I know,  from  personal  observation,  and  from  communication 
with  the  very  highest  levee  authorities  in  the  country  that  his 
duties  have  been  very  intelligently  and  most  satisfactorily  dis'1 
charged.  The  service  that  he  has  rendered  there  has  been  most 


invaluable  to  our  cause.  He  can,  and  has  done  many  things 
that  a congressman  cannot  do.  He  can  keep  congressmen  in 
touch  with  each  other,  and,  in  fact,  as  Gen.  Catchings  wrote  me 
the  other  day,  his  splendid  management  and  never  failing  great 
tact,  has  been  of  incalculable  value  to  our  levee  interests.  Of  his 
work  our  distinguished  friend,  Gen.  Catchings,  wrote  as  follows  : 


Vicksburg,  Miss.  , November  11th,  1801. 


Hon.  Chas.  Scott, 

Rosed  ale,  Miss.  : 

Dear  Sir  : 


!X 


Having  noticed  that  you  have  called  a meeting  of  the  Levee 
Presidents  to  take  place  at  the  St.  Charles  Hotel  on  the  15th 
inst. , with  a view  to  obtaining  the  necessary  funds  to  maintain 
Capt.  Pat  Henry  of  Arkansas  in  Washington  during  the  approach- 
ing session  of  Congress,  I take  the  liberty  of  saying  to  you  that 
I regard  it  as  a matter  of  very  great  importance  that  he  shall  be 
sent  back  to  Washington.  My  long  experience  in  all  matters 
pertaining  to  the  interests  of  the  river,  enables  me  I think  to 
place  the  proper  value  upon  his  services,  and  also  upon  the  work 
of  the  Levee  Association  from  its  organization.  The  work  of 
securing  appropriations  from  Congress  has  been  extremely  labori- 
ous and  often  times  prosecuted  under  such  difficulties  as  to  be 
extremely  disheartening,  and  I believe  if  it  had  not  been  for  the 
stimulus  afforded  by  the  Levee  Association  and  the  influence 
which  it  constantly  kept  at  work,  that  the.  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives from  the  Mississippi  Valley  might  have  fallen  into  the 
idea  that  the  efforts  being  made  in  Congress  were  not  as  impor- 
tant and  necessary  as  they  seemed  to  think,  and  in  view  of 
the  disheartening  character  of  their  struggle  might  have  abated 
it  somewhat. 

I do  .not  know  that  this  is  so,  or  mean  to  say  that  it  is  so, 
%ut  I do  know  that  in  my  own  case  for  instance  the  extreme 
interest  manifested  by  the  Levee  organization  has  been  to  me  a 
constant  stimulus  to  do  my  very  best  and  I presume  it  was  so 
with  Senators  and  Representatives  from  the  valley  generally. 
As  for  Capt.  Henry,  he  was  extremely  intelligent  and  kept  him- 
self always  on  the  alert,  and  was  ready  at  all  times  to  give  advice 


973063 


— 4— 


or  to  go  upon  missions  or  to  do  anything  that  he  was  called  upon 
to  do.  His  exceptional  intelligence  and  very  remarkable  tact 
peculiarly  fitted  him  for  this  sort  of  work.  While  my  connection 
with  the  work  has  ceased,  my  interest  in  its  success  remains  the 
same,  and  it  is  because  of  that  interest  that  I take  the  liberty  of 
addressing  you  this  letter. 

With  kind  regards,  I am 

Very  truly  yours, 

T.  C.  Catchings. 

Now,  gentlemen,  the  sole  question  for  you  to  decide  to-day 
is  whether  you  will,  or  will  not,  further  attempt  to  obtain  national 
appropriations,  and  to  urge  river  and  levee  appropriations  by  an 
organized  effort,  or  whether  all  organized  effort  shall  be  aban- 
doned, and  you  will  simply  let  things  drift  and  take  their  course. 
[ believe  there  is  no  doubt  as  to  what  it  will  be,  but  that  is  a 
matter  for  you  in  your  wisdom  to  determine. 

If  we  are  to  be  represented  in  Washington,  it  should  be 
through  Captain  Henry.  Granting  that  another  man  fully  as 
able  can  be  found  to  care  for  our  levee  interests  in  Washington, 
he  could  hardly  have  the  experience  acquired  by  Captain  Henry, 
nor  his  extensive  pleasant  acquaintance  among  Congressmen. 
Qualifications  so  necessary. 

We  have  been  promising  to  pay  Captain  Henry  $3000  a 
year.  To  leave  one’s  home  and  business,  and  defray  the  expenses 
of  a life  in  Washington,  you  must  know  this  is  not  extravagant 
pay,  nor  is  the  Captain  regarded  as  a lobbyist  in  the  ordinary 
sense  of  the  word,  but  is  looked  upon  as  the  representative  of  one  of 
the  intelligent  extended  constituencies  of  the  whole  country,  and 
he  is  accepted  as  one  there  in  the  public  interest.  For  several 
years  we  have  been  running  behind  in  our  account  with  Captain 
Henry.  The  deficit  is  now  in  excess  of  $3000. 

In  the  case  of  our  worthy  secretary,  Mr.  W.  A.  Everman,  it 
was  agreed  to  pay  $300  a year  for  his  services,  but,  I must  say, 
be  has  fared  even  worse  than  Captain  Henry,  for  he  has  received 
nothing.  But,  if  we  are  to  continue  on,  we  must  hold  the  servant 
worthy  of  his  hire. 

I think  the  fixed  charges  of  the  Association  are  about  $3300 
per  year  ; that  is,  not  taking  in  consideration  stationery,  stamps, 


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Umv.  of  111.  Lib.  When  this  book  has  been  received  and  cataloged  this  card,  if  filled  out  by 

the  department,  will  be  returned  to  the  person  “recommending,”  or,  if  no  one  is 
specified,  then  the  one  “approving”  the  book  order  for  his  information. 


—5— 


and  other  contingent  expenses,  for  which,  I believe,  a fund 
should  be  provided. 

Now  showing  the  need  of  providing  for  contingent  expenses  I 
mention  the  incident  of  our  part  taken  recently  in  the  retention  of 
Judge  Taylor  as  a member  of  the  Mississippi  River  Commission,  I 
considered  that  of  vital  importance  to  all  of  our  river  and  levee 
interests,  it  being  known  that  that  most  estimable  gentleman 
entertained  wise  broad  and  friendly  views  as  to  both.  Whereas 
had  he  been  replaced,  his  successor  might  or  might  no't  have 
been  found  in  accord  with  the  plans  of  the  Commission  being 
followed  out. 

Captain  Henry  was  the  first  to  learn  that  Judge  Taylor  was 
stated  for  removal,  that  his  re-appointment  as  a member  of  the 
Mississippi  River  Commission  would  not  be  made.  He  imme- 
diately wired  ine  to  that  effect.  There  was  no  time  for  the  slow 
process  of  the  mails, 'so  I wired  ever}7  Board  of  Trade  and  every 
prominent  Chamber  of  Commerce  from  Chicago  to  New  Orleans: 
I sent  that  day  a mass  of  telegrams,  and  instantaneously  the 
responses  came  to  those  telegrams.  The  result  was  that  such  a 
fight  was  put  up  for  Judge  Taylor  that  he  was  retained  on  the 
Commission.  This  is  one  of  the  incidental  expetfses  that  the 
President  of  this  Association  has  to  meet.  The  telegrams  cost 
$50,  but  there  being  no  funds  in  hand,  I paid  for  them  myself. 

Judge  J.  G.  White,  President  R.  R.  A.  and  B.  B.  Levee 
District,  of  Louisiana,  here  asked  Mr.  Scott  how  much  he  thought 
should  be  raised  annually. 

Mr.  Scott  : I think  I can  get  down  to  figures,  $3000.00  for  our 
representative  at  Washington,  $300.00  for  our  permanent  Secre- 
tary. I will  state  that  the  permanent  Treasurer  of  the  Associa- 
tion is  the  Delta  Trust  and  Banking  Company  of  Vicksburg,  the 
funds  of  the  Association  are  deposited  there  and  checked  out  by 
the  Secretary,  the  checks  being  sent  to  me  for  approval.  We  owe  at 
present  $2040  to  Capt.  Henry  on  his  past  year’s  salary.  There- 
fore we  must  provide  for  him  this  year  $5040.  Of  course,  this 
amount  would  be  reduced  by  $2040,  after  this  year.  I should 
think  that  a fund  of  five  or  six  hundred  dollars  ought  to  be  ample 
for  contingent  expenses.  I think  a fund  of  $6000.00  should  be 
raised  for  the  first  year. 


—6— 


Mr.  Scott  : I now  suggest  that  the  first  thing  in  order  should 
be  the  selection  of  a permanent  chairman.  I presume  in  a meet- 
ing of  this  kind  a temporary  organization  is  unnecessary. 

Hon.  J.  K.  Ransdell,  seconded  by  Judge  J.  G White,  moved 
that  Col.  T.  G.  Sparks,  President  Atchafalaya  Basin  Levee  Dis- 
trict, of  Louisiana,  be  elected  permanent  chairman.  Carried. 

Col.  Sparks,  in  taking  the  chair,  said  he  did  so  with  a great 
deal  of  hesitation,  as  he  had  just  risen  from  a sick  bed  to  attend 
this  meeting,  but  for  the  sake  of  our  friend,  Mr.  Scott,  I believe 
I should  attempt  anything. 

Col.  Sparks  then  said  that  in  his  district,  and  in  southern 
Louisiana  generally,  there  were  many  people  who  objected  to 
the  payment  of  this  subscription,  owing  to  a feeling  that  they 
were  not  generally  carried  by  all  the  interested  parties,  our  dis- 
trict will  be  willing  to  pay  its  share.  Our  levee  system  is  about 
completed  or  will  be  in  a year’s  time.  Yet,  while  safe  along  our 
own  line,  there  remains  the  same  danger  of  destruction  from  any 
weaker  levees  above.  Within  the  last  ten  years  we  have  ex- 
pended three  millions  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  our 
district  alone,  every  dollar  of  which  came  directly  from  the 
people. 

Col.  Sparks  stated  that  the  next  thing  in  order  was  the  elec- 
tion of  a permanent  secretary. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Scott,  seconded  by  Mr.  Victor  Maurin, 
Mr.  J.  W.  Bryant,  of  New  Orleans,  was’  made  secretary  of  the 
meeting. 

Mr.  Scott,  seconded  by  Judge  White,  moved  that,  in  order 
to  facilitate  the  business  of  the  meeting,  two  committees,  one  on 
resolutions,  and  one  on  appropriations,  be  appointed,  the  commit- 
tees to  report  to  the  meeting.  Carried. 

Mr.  J.  W.  Cutrer,  President  Yazoo-Mississippi  Levee  Dis- 
trict, suggested  that,  before  these  two  committees  be  appointed 
it  might  be  well  to  have  a list  of  the  representatives  present,  and 
the  different  organization  they  represent. 

The  roll  was  called  and  the  following  representatives  were 
found  to  be  present  : 


■7— 


Executive  Committee  Interstate  Mississippi  River  Improvement 
and  Levee  Association. 

Charles  Scott,  President,  W.  A.  Everman,  Secretary, 

Rosedale,  Miss.  Greenville,  Miss. 

Green  Clay,  J.  A.  Miller, 

Mexico,  Mo.  Cairo,  111. 

Hon.  J.  A.  Ransdell,  J.  M.  Parker, 

Lake  Providence,  La.  New  Orleans,  La. 

J.  W.  Bryant,  New  Orleans,  La. 


Levee  Boards. 

J.  A.  Cunningham,  President,  Caruthejsville,  Mo. 

St.  Francis  Levee  Board,  Missouri. 

J.  C.  Harris,  President,  Tiptonville,  Ten.n. 

Reelfoot  Levee  Board,  Tennessee. 

O.  N.  Killough,  President,  Vandalle,  Ark.  H.  N.  Phar,  Chief 

Engineer. 

St.  Francis  Levee  Board,  Arkansas. 

Ed.  Pillow,  President  ; Greenfield  Quarles,  Helena,  Ark. 
Cotton  Belt  Levee  Board,  Arkansas. 

Patrick  Henry,  President,  Henrico,  Ark. 

Laconia  Levee  District,  Arkansas. 

J.  W.  Cutrer,  President,  Clarksdale,  Miss. 

Yazoo- Mississippi  Delta  Levee  District,  Mississippi. 

R.  W.  Smith,  President,  Arkansas  City,  Ark. 

Desha  County  Levee  Board,  Arkansas. 

X.  J.  Pindall,  President,  Dumas,  Ark.  T.  J.  Quirke. 

Red"  Fork  Levee  Board,  Arkansas. 

Walter  Davis,  President,  Lakehall,  Ark. 

Chicot  County  Levee  Board,  Arkansas. 

J.  M.  Jayne,  President  ; C.  H.  West,  Chief  Engineer,  Green- 
ville, Miss. 

Mississippi  Levee  Board,  Mississippi. 

W.  T.  Barham,  President,  Oakridge,  La. 

Tensas  Basin  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

J.  T.  McClellan,  President,  Tallulah,  La. 

Fifth  Louisiana  District,  Louisiana. 


— 8— 


Thos.  G.  Sparks,  President,  Musson,  La.  A.  D.  Barrow, 
Secretary,  Port  Allan,  La. 

Atchafalaya  Basin  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

Victor  Maurin,  President  ; J.  S.  Brady,  J.  P.  Willis,  W.  J. 
McCune,  Donaldsonville,  La. 

Lafourche  Basin  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

John  Dymond,  President;  Benito  Ojeda,  Henry  McCall,  Jr., 
New  Orleans,  La. 

Lake  Borgne  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

Otto  Thoman,  President,  New  Orleans,  La. 

Orleans  Levee  District,  La. 

George  Schoenberger,  President,  Buras,  La. 

Buras  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

J.  G.  White,  President,  Alexandria,  La. 

Red  River,  Atchafaiaya  and  Bayou  Boeuf  Levee  District, 

Louisiana. 

J.  W.  Jeter,  President,  Benton,  La. 

Bossier  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

J.  L-  Haspel,  President;  David  Haspel,  Secretary,  New 
Orleans,  La. 

Grand  Prairie  Levee  District,  Louisiana. 

A.  Perriliiat,  C.  E.  ; Sidney  Lewis,  C.  E. P\  M.  Kerr,  C.  E. ; 
M.  P.  Robertson,  C.  E. , New  Orleans,  La. 

State  Board  of  Engineers,  Louisiana. 


Appointments  to  the  Committees  on  Resolutions  and  Appro- 
priations were  made  by  the  chairman,  as  follows,  viz  : 

Resolutions , 

Joseph  E.  Ransdell,  Louisiana  ; Charles  Scott,  Mississ- 
ippi ; Green  Clay,  Missouri ; Otto  Thoman,  New  Orleans ; 
Greenfield  Quarles,  Arkansas;  J.  A.  Miller,  Cairo,  111.;  J.  W. 
Cutrer,  Mississippi  ; Captain  H.  N.  Pharr,  Arkansas. 

A ppto pria  tions, 

T.  J.  McClellan  and  A.  Perriliiat,  of  Louisiana  ; J.  M. 
Jayne  and  Chas.  H.  West,  of  Mississipi  ; Walter  Davis  and  O. 
N.  Killough,  of  Arkansas  jp.^idney  F.  Lewis,  of  New  Orleans, 
and  each  of  the  Presidents,  r>f  the  Levee  Boards  present. 


— 9— 


Hon.  J.  E.  Ransdell,  M.  C.,  Louisiana  District,  was  then 
invited  to  address  the  meeting. 

Mr.  Ransdell  : I accept  this  invitation  with  a great  deal  of 
pleasure.  My  heart  and  soul  is  in  the  work  for  which  we  have 
gathered  here  to-day.  Our  distinguished  President,  or  rather  the 
President  of  the  Interstate  Mississippi  River  Improvement  and 
Levee  Association  has  covered  so  fully  the  ground  for  which  we 
have  assembled  here  to-day,  that  I hardly  know  how  to  discuss 
it  myself  without  repeating  what  he  has  said.  That  the  Asso- 
ciation, of  which  he  is  President,  has  done  a magnificent  work 
since  its  organization  in  1890,  I am  thoroughly  convinced.  You 
have  heard  his  statement  that  the  work  done  by  Capt.  Henry  in 
our  behalf  was  most  efficient;  but  I would  like  to  add  a brief 
meed  of  praise  in  his  behalf.  I have  been  in  Congress  only  a 
short  while,  as  you  know.  I have  served  only  one  term  and 
during  that  term  I became  acquainted  with  Capt.  Henry,  and 
watched  the  work  he  was  doing.  I do  not  think  I ever  attended 
a session  that  Capt.  Henry  was  not  present,  either  in  the  hall  or 
in  the  lobby.  He  was  as  watchful  and  careful  as  it  was  possible 
for  a man  to  be.  I know  that  I went  to  him  time  and  again  to 
ascertain  the  status  of  the  rivers  and  harbors  bill,  he  was  always 
able  to  post  me,  to  tell  me  exactly  what  was  going  on. 

When  elected,  I determined  to  give  special  attention  to 
river  interests,  hoping  that  in  time  I might  get  on  the  Rivers 
and  Harbors  Committee,  I thought  of  the  valuable  help  I should 
receive  from  a man  so  well  equipped  as  Captain  Henry. 

I know  of  the  great  service  rendered  by  Captain  Henry  in 
Judge  Taylor’s  behalf.  He  was,  I believe,  the  first  one  to  dis- 
cover that  there  was  a movement  to  remove  Judge  Taylor.  He 
immediately  drew  up  a petition  Tor  his  retention,  and  he  induced 
many  of  the  republican  members  of  the  Lower  House,  and  also 
some  members  of  the  Senate,  to  sign  it,  and  also  quite  a number 
of  the  democratic  senators  and  representatives,  that  was  helpful, 
yet,  he  did  more,  manifesting  his  worth  and  influence,  for  he 
induced  party  leaders,  men  high  in  the  inner  counsels,  to  go  and 
intercede  with  the  President  for  the  retention  of  our  honored 
great  friend  on  the  Commission.  We,  acquainted  with  the  cir- 
cumstances, knew  hi&Ao  be  a delicate 'mission,  but  his  tact, 
patience  and  persistance  triumphed  over  every  discouragement. 


—10— 


Capt.  Henry  told  me  he  intended  to  resign,  as  he  did  not 
know  that  his  work  was  understood,  or  longer  desired  perhaps. 
But  I induced  him  to  withhold  his  resignation  until  the  levee 
boards  could  be  heard  from.  We  have  had  this  organization  for 
many  years  now.  It  has  worked  well  and,  I believe,  has  accom- 
plished a great  deal  for  us  ; and  to  discontinue  this  work,  or  to 
stop  our  special  representative  in  Washington,  at  this  time,  I 
think,  would  be  a serious  mistake,  indeed. 

Feeling  so  much  concern  in  the  matter,  I have  the  following 
letters,  which  I ask  the  Secretaty  to  read. 

The  Secretary  read  as  follows  : 

f Mississippi  River  Commission’ 
< U.  S.  Steamer  Mississippi, 

[ November  14th,  1901. 

Hon.  J.  E.  Ransdele, 

Addressed. 

Dear  Sir  : 


In  answer  to  your  request  for  my  opinion  of  the  value  of  the 
services  of  Captain  Patrick  Henry  as  representative  of  the  interests 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley  at  Washington,  I cannot  do  otherwise 
than  speak  of  them  in  the  highest  terms.  Captain  Henry’s  high 
character  as  a man,  his  diplomatic  tact,  his  thorough  knowledge 
of  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  river  and  its  improvement,  his 
wide  acquaintance  with  men,  his  long  experience  in  the  work, 
and  his  rare  personal  and  social  qualities,  all  combine  to  make 
him  the  man  for  the  place.  I think  it  will  be  a grave  error  to 
let  him  go  if  it  is  possible  to  induce  him  to  remain. 

Very  truly  yours, 

R.  S.  Tayeor. 


f Mississippi  River  Commission, 
< U.  S.  Steamer  Mississippi. 

November  13th,  1901. 

Hon.  J.  E.  Ransdeee, 

Dear  Sir  : 

Replying  to  your  enquiry  concerning  an  organization  of  the 
lower  riparian  States  with  the  object  of  presenting  before  Congress 
the  levee  interests,  I beg  to  state  that  I consider  these  interests 
of  such  importance  that  they  should  be  promoted  in  all  proper 


-11- 


ways.  This  can  be  best  done  by  organization  and  representation. 
By  these  means  most  valuable  assistance  can  be  given  to  our 
Congressmen,  who  are  charged  with  such  a multiplicity  of  duties 
that  such  a course  is  necessary  and  proper.  I have  had  oppor- 
tunity of  observing  and  fully  estimating  the  effective  work  done 
by  the  Association  formed  in  Vicksburg,  of  which  Mr.  Charles 
Scott  is  President,  and  whose  representative  is  Mr.  Patrick 
Henry  ; and  do  not  hesitate  to  say  that  the  cessation  of  this  work 
would  be  a great  misfortune  to  the  riparian  States  below  Cairo, 
and  that  every  effort  should  be  made  to  perfect  and  perpetuate 
that,  or  a similar  organization,  and  to  continue  the  services  of 
Mr.  Patrick  Henry. 

Very  truly, 

B.  M.  Harrod. 


Hon.  J.  E.  Ransdeel, 


f U.  S.  Steamer  Mississippi, 
\ Louisiana,  Nov.  12, 1901. 


Lake  Providence,  La.  : 


Dear  Sir  : 

Replying  to  your  enquiries  regarding  my  views  about  the 
propriety  and  importance  of  keeping  a special  representative  of 
our  levee  interests  at  Washington  during  the  sessions  of  Congress, 
I have  to  say  that  it  has  always  appeared  to  me  an  entirely  proper 
thing  for  the  various  levee  boards  to  send  their  agents  or  repre- 
sentatives to  appear  before  Congressional  committees,  or  to  appeal 
to  individual  members  in  advocacy  of  the  great  public  interests 
which  these  levee  boards  administer,  and  I have  supposed  it  to 
be  a legitimate  and  proper  use  of  the  levee  funds  to  apply  them 
in  paying  the  necessary  expenses  of  such  representatives  and 
agents.  In  fact  I have  always  supposed  that  any  expenditure, 
not  expressly  prohibited  by  law,  which  in  the  judgment  of  the 
levee  boards  would  aid  in  improving  the  levees,  or  in  securing 
the  appropriation  of  means  for  their  improvement,  to  be  perfectly 
legitimate  and  proper. 

As  you  are  aware,  most  of  our  levee  boards  have,  for  some 
years  past,  subscribed  to  a fund  for  securing  the  attendance  and 
services  at  Washington,  in  their  interests,  of  Mr.  Patrick  Henry  ; 
and  I understand  the  principal  object  of  the  approaching  meeting 


LIBRARY  " — - 

UNIVERSITY  OF  tlUNOfS 


—12— 


of  levee  board  presidents  at  New  Orleans,  is  to  make  some 
arrangements  by  which  Mr.  Henry  can  be  continued  in  the  same 
position. 

I have  been  told  by  several  members  of  Congress  that  they 
have  found  his  services  invaluable  in  keeping  them  informed  on 
innumerable  matters  and. circumstances  likely  to  affect  the  action 
of  committees  on  the  progress  of  legislation. 

But  of  all  this  -you  must'  be  much  better  informed  than  I 
can  be. 

J sincerely  trust  that  the  levee  boards^  will  agree  to  continue 
contributions  for  keeping  a special  representative  in  Washington, 
and  that  Mr.  Henry’s  services  may  be  retained. 

Yours  very  truly, 

Henry  B.  Richardson, 

Chief,  State  Engineers. 

Mr.  Ransdell  : Mr.  Chairman,  I believe  a fund  should  be 
provided  to  enable  the  President  of  this  Association  to  send  dele- 
gates to  the  imporant  conventions  which  are  held  throughout  the 
country.  For  instance,  there  was  recently  held  at  Baltimore  a 
Rivers  and  Harbors  Convention,  which  proved  a most  important 
assemblage.  One  or  more  of  our  brightest  men  should  be  sent 
to  take  part  in  such  meetings,  and  for  that  and  dhe  other  pur- 
poses just  mentioned  we  should  raise  a fund  of  not  less  than 
$ 8,000 . (Applause). 

Mr.  Otto  Thoman,  President  of  the  Orleans  Levee  Board  : 
Mr.  Chairman,  I wish  to  explain  the  position  of  our  board  just 
here.  We  have  never  subscribed  to  this  Association  because  our 
attorney  advised  that  we  could  not  use  the  board’s  money  that 
way.  I promise,  however,  to  again  bring  this  matter  up  and  to 
do  all  I can  consistently  to  persuade  our  board  to  subscribe. 

Mr.  Scott  : Mr.  Chairman,  I move  a recess  until  two  o’clock, 
in  order  that  the  committees  ma}^  meet  and  prepare  their  report. 
Carried. 


AFTERNOON  SESSION 

Meeting  was  called  to  order  at  2:15  p.  m. 

The  Chair  : The  first  thing  in  order  is  the  resolutions.  Is 
the  committee  ready  to  report. 


—13— 


Mr.  Ransdell  : Mr.  Chairman,  on  behalf  of  ihat  committee, 
I submit  the  following  : 

Resolutions. 

Resolved  : ist,  that  the  country  at  large  regards  the  failure 
of  the  last  Rivers  and  Harbors  Bill  as  a heavy  and  unexpected 
blow  to  one  of  its  most  important  interests.  At  the  same  time 
they  realize  that  Congressional  sentiment  was  not  responsible 
for  this  grievous  error,  and  the  public  confidently  believes  and 
looks  to  the  next  congress  to  relieve  the  situation  by  adequate 
and  generous  appropriations  for  the  betterment  of  our  rivers  and 
harbors. 

2nd.  Resolved,  further,  That  in  our  opinion  no  better  use 
can  be  made  of  the  public  fund,  than  by  making  liberal  appro- 
priations for  river  and  harbor  improvements,  the  same  to  be 
expended  along  intelligent  lines,  as  recommended  and  mapped 
out  by  competent  engineers,  and  according  to  the  continuous 
contract  system  recently  adopted  and  used  with  the  most  econ- 
omical and  satisfactory  results. 

3rd.  Resolved  : That  while  cheerfully  conceding  that  the 
interests  of  all  the  harbors  and  water  ways  of  the  country  should 
be  properly  recognized  and  fostered  by  the  national  government, 
we  respectfully  submit  that  the  interests  of  the  Mississippi  River 
and  valley,  owing  to  their  magnitude  and  great  importance, 
especially  deserve  congressional  consideration,  and  call  for  liberal 
appropriations  to  carry  out  the  system  of  improvements  wisely 
adopted  by  the  Mississippi  River  Commission,  including  revet 
inent  work,  dredging,  and  an  adequate  system  of  dykes,  which 
are  not  only  valuable  adjuncts  in  preserving  the  regimen  of  the 
river,  but  are  of  incalculable  benefit  to  the  riparian  States,  and 
to  the  country  at  large,  in  protecting  and  reclaiming  the  vast 
areas  of  aluvial  lands,  whose  products,  converted  into  money  at 
home  and  abroad,  contribute  materially  to  the  wealth  and  pros- 
perity of  the  whole  people. 

4th.  Resolved  : That  the  Mississippi  River  Commission 
are  entitled  to  the  full  confidence  and  cordial  thanks  of  the  entire 
Mississippi  valley  for  the  intelligent  and  satisfactory  way  in 
which  they  have  met  and  solved  the  many  difficult  problems 
presented  for  their  consideration. 


—14— 


5th.  Resolved  : That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting  that  the 
Interstate  Mississippi  River  Improvement  and  Levee  Association 
has  been  of  great  service  in  guarding  and  promoting  the  impor- 
tant interest  committed  in  part  to  their  care.  They  should  not 
only  receive  the  countenance  of  the  various  levee  organizations 
of  the  Mississippi  valley,  but  the  support  of  all  public  spirited 
citizens.  The  association  should  be  sustained  and  continued, 
and  to  that  end  its  president,  the  Hon.  Charles  Scott,  is  requested 
to  call  once  every  year,  or  oftener  if  he  deems  it  necessary,  at 
some  convenient  time  and  place,  joint  meetings  of  said  associa- 
tion and  the  presidents  and  chief  engineers  of  the  levee  boards 
in  all  the  riparian  States. 

6th.  Resolved  : Our  thanks  are  heartily  tendered  Captain 
Patrick  Henry,  of  Henrico.,  Ark.,  for  his  intelligent  and  valuable 
work  at  Washington  and  he  is  urged  to  accept  the  re-appoint- 
ment tendered  him  at  this  meeting  through  Mr.  Charles  Scott, 
as  the  special  representative  of  our  Association  and  continue  his 
important  work. 

Resolved  : That  copies  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  the  sena- 
tors and  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  various 
States  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  that  they  be  respectfully 
urged  to  use  all  honorable  and  proper  means  to  secure  the  passage 
of  an  adequate  liberal  rivers  and  harbors  bill  at  the  approaching 
session  of  congress. 

The  resolutions  were  adopted  without  debate,  and  unani- 
mously. 

The  Chairman  : The  report  of  the  Appropriations  Committee 
is  now  in  order. 

Mr.  McClellan  : 

New  Orleans,  La.,  November  15th,  1901. 

Gentlemen  : 

Your  Committee  on  Appropriations  beg  leave  to  report  the 
following  as  a basis  of  assessment  for  the  various  levee  boards 
throughout  the  Valley,  and  that  the  amount  set  opposite  their 
names  be  paid  to  the  Delta  Trust  and  Banking  Company,  Treas- 
urer, Vicksburg,  Miss.,  not  later  than  February  15th,  1902  : 


-15- 


Reel  Foot  Levee  District,  of  Tennessee $100  00 

St.  Francis  Levee  District,  of  Missouri  200  00 

Birds  Point  Levee  District 200  00 

Si.  Francis  Levee  District,  of  Arkansas 400  00 

Cotton  Belt  Levee  District,  of  Arkansas  210  00 

Laconia  Levee  District,  of  Arkansas 300  00 

Yazoo-Mississippi  Delta  Levee  District,  of  Mississippi  . 700  00 

Desha  County  Levee  Board,  of  Arkansas 125  00 

Red  Fork  Levee  Board,  of  Arkansas 100  00 

Mississippi  Levee  District 700  00 

Tensas  Basin  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 200  00 

Fifth  Louisiana  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 700  00 

Atchafalaya  Basin  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 600  00 

Pontchartrain  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 450  00 

Lafourche  Basin  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 500  00 

Lake  Borgne  Basin  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 150  00 

Orleans  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 250  00 

Buras  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 100  00 

Grand  Prairie  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 100  00 

Red  River,  Atchafalaya  and  Bayou  Boeuf  Levee  District, 

of  Louisiana 200  00 

Bossier  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 150  00 

Caddo  Levee  District,  of  Louisiana 150  00 

Chicot  Levee  Board,  of  Arkansas 100  00 

Total $6,680  00 

Very  respectfully, 


J.  T.  McClellan, 
Chairman  Appropriation  Committee. 

The  report  was  adopted  unanimously. 


Mr.  McClellan  : Mr.  Chairman  I offer  the  following  : 

Resolved  : That  the  Presidents  of  the  different  levee  organ- 
izations, from  Cairo  to  the  Gulf,  be  requested  to  present  the 
proceedings  of  this  meeting  to  their  several  bodies,  and  urge  the 
taking  of  such  action  as  will  secure  the  payment  of  the  requisite 
funds  payable  by  each,  to  the  Delta  Trust  & Banking  Company, 


Vicksburg,  Miss.,  Treasurer,  at  the  earliest  possible  moment, 
and  not  later  than  February  15,  1902.  Adopted. 

The  meeting  then  adjourned,  subject  to  the  call  of  Mr. 
Charles  Scott,  President  Interstate  Mississippi  River  Improve- 
ment and  Cevee  Association. 

A True  Copy  : 

Thos.  G.  Sparks,  Chairman. 

Jno.  W.  Bryant,  Secretary. 


*■ 


1 


